PCM-02-08-2024

Explorer PCM

IT’S THE ‘TEA’ BOMB

can’t decide sometimes. I like sweet, sometimes I like sour. I can’t tell you one.”

Monroe community members don’t have to travel far to get their fill of mega tea bombs and shakes anymore. Mustang Nutrition, located at 102 N. Commerce St. on the square, has a wide variety of drinks from refreshers and coffees to wildly popular teas and shakes in so many flavors it will be hard to pick a favorite.

“For shakes the salted caramel crunch cone is my favorite. It is absolutely amazing; the best ever,” owner Kenzie Cordes said. “For teas, I

Cordes opened the doors of Mustang Nutrition in early 2024, her third nutrition club. She started in West Des Moines after owners of an already opened club were looking for move on and branched out to neighboring Pleasantville last year.

“My first one was in West Des Moines in 2020. It was a crazy year to open a business. It was already an existing club and they were looking for a new owner, so I offered. I took it over and it went really well,”

Supervisors revise policy for department head salaries

Talsma said the change was needed to save money and retain employees

By Christopher Braunschweig PCM Explorer

In an effort to save money and retain its department heads, the Jasper County Board of Supervisors have spent considerable time this past year tying to get a handle on salaries. For some that means increasing their pay to be more in line with their duties, but for most it means negotiating their raises.

Jasper County Supervisor Brandon Talsma told Newton News at the conclusion of a recent budget session that most department heads have responded well to the board’s change in policy. Supervisors revised the policy on Jan. 23 and it no longer allows individuals in managerial positions to be on a pay scale. Since the updated policy will become effective July 1, the board of supervisors have been discussing department head salaries over the past few weeks during budget workshops. The Jan. 30 budget workshop gave a glimpse into how pay increases for department heads would proceed in the future.

Cordes said. “I wanted to get closer to people that I know so I started venturing out down here.”

Monroe caught her eye after a family member mentioned it would be a good spot for her business. A native of Knoxville, she liked the idea of being closer to home.

“My brother lives here (in Monroe) and he gave me the idea to look here,” Cordes said. “I just love small towns so I am used to the small-town feel. It kind of gave me the idea of Monroe and it is just

Local school leaders not in favor of AEA changes

Area schools would face a “significant impact” should bill be passed by the Iowa Legislature

With a potential upheaval to Iowa’s Area Education Agencies working its way around the Iowa Legislature, area superintendents share the affects proposed changes would make at their schools. Baxter’s Mickolyn Clapper and Colfax-Mingo’s Tim Salmon both said their schools would face a significant impact should the AEA be reorganized as proposed.

“Potential changes that are proposed would be detrimental to Colfax-Mingo,” Salmon said. “We would lose services, take on additional responsibilities and lower the educational programming in our district. We would have to hire staff, supervise, which would be difficult as they would all be part-time positions. The flow-through money would not support what we currently have. Our staff and students would suffer. Less services and more work for our district.” Clapper said with the changes in the bill Baxter would have to remove educational services, media/tech-

nology services and professional development from the district’s access. She also explained funds they are currently receiving would be rerouted and no longer available to the district.

“The flow-through dollars that previously supported these services would be absorbed into the state general budget, making them unavailable for use by the district,” Clapper said. “This would lead to a loss of access to consultants, services and resources crucial for the district’s educational support. This would be a major loss for our district.”

Both districts utilize the AEA if a variety of ways that enhance the experience for students and assist the staff. Salmon calls the relationship with Heartland AEA a “tight partnership” where they receive resources they do not have internally.

“In addition to special education, we rely on AEA to help our leadership team move forward, provide professional development, provide printing services, curriculum support, Crisis

READY FOR TRIVIA TIME

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

More than 20 tables were filled during the 2024 PCM Foundation Trivia Night fundraiser Feb. 5 at Sacred Willow Farms event center in Prairie City. Answering round after round of questions, laughs were heard throughout the evening as guesses were found out to be right and

to

wrong for groups with names including Phone a Friend, No Clue Crew and Team Bleacher Butt. Through the foundation, thousands of dollars have been given in scholarships to PCM seniors for many years.

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Colorful mega tea bombs, delicious shakes and many more tasty treats are available at Mustang Nutrition on the west side of the square in Monroe.

The PCM Foundation Trivia Night is held at Sacred Willow Farms event center for the first time Feb. 5

Mustang Nutrition opens in downtown Monroe, serving area favorites like shakes and mega tea bombs

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

By Jamee A. Pierson PCM Explorer

Send your event to

Events at The Gathering Place

The Patty Richards Music Show is schedule for 10 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 8 at The Gathering Place. Piano With Jacque Robinson is at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9.

Enjoy a Singalong & Walk with Jacque P. at 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12 at TGP.

“Get Fit, Move More” at 1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 14 at The Gathering Place.

PCM Food Pantry

The PCM Food Pantry at the Monroe Presbyterian Church, 113 S. Main St. in Monroe, is open 9 a.m. to noon and 6 to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to noon Thursdays.

Good News Club meets Monday

The Good News Club will meet after school Monday, Feb. 12 at the Prairie City Elementary library and the Monroe Elementary art room. Kindergarten through 5th grade are welcome. Enjoy snacks, games, bible stories, songs and prizes. Parent permission required. Sponsored by Child Evangelism Fellowship. Contact Jane McConeghey at 641 891 2733, Monroe or Sheryl Plate or 641 521 3120, Prairie City.

Kiwanis to host exchange students Monday at TGP

The Monroe Kiwanis is hosting the foreign exchange students at 6:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 13 at The Gathering Place. Everyone is invited. Bring finger foods to share.

OWLS program ‘Paper Quilling’

Jasper County Conservation Board will host an Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors (OWLS) program at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Feb 14 at the Jasper County Armory/ Annex Building in Newton. The public is invited to come for coffee and a program given by Heidi Holley. Holley makes cards and art using the method of paper quilling — rolling, shaping and gluing paper into decorative designs. Holley will demonstrate the technique and provide materials needed to make your own Valentine’s Day cards.

The OWLS program is a conservation program that encourages seniors to stay active and learn new things about the natural world. Contact the Jasper County Conservation Board office at 641-792-9780 for more information.

TOPS

TOPS 1025 meets at 5:30 p.m. every Monday at the First Reformed Church in Prairie City for weigh-in, with meeting to follow. Go to the north side parking lot at the church and enter in the north door. Call 515-994-2200 for information.

Men’s Recovery meeting

Lighthouse Recovery Ministries hosts a Men’s Recovery meeting at 6:30 p.m. each Monday at Grace Alive Church, 703 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia.com with questions.

PCM Clothing Closet

The PCM Clothing Closet, on the second floor of the Family Life Center at 105 S. Sherman St. in Prairie City, will be open from 3:30 to 7 p.m. every Tuesday and Thursday and 2 to 4 p.m. Sundays.

American Legion Post

The Monroe American Legion meets at 7 p.m. the second Tuesday of the month at the Legion.

Womens Recovery meeting

Lighthouse Recovery Ministries has a Women’s Recovery meeting at 6 p.m. each Wednesday at the Grace Alive Powerhouse, 701 W. Second St. in Prairie City. Contact Barb at b.miller@lighthouserecoveryia. com with questions.

Academic Achievement

Hastings College HASTINGS, NE — Hastings College has announced the dean’s list for its fall 2023 semester. Caleb Duinink of Monroe, is included on the list with a 4.0 grade point average for the semester.

Upper Iowa University

FAYETTE — Upper Iowa University has announced the dean’s list for the 2023 fall semester. To be honored, a student must have earned a minimum 3.50 grade point average and be enrolled as a full-time student. Area students named to the list include Danyelle Myers of Prairie City, Michaela Uhlenhopp of Prairie City and August Stock of Monroe.

Iowa State University

AMES — More than 1,700 graduates received degrees from Iowa State University this fall including Kathryn Henkenius of Monroe, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology and Health, Summa Cum Laude.

Cedarville University

CEDARVILLE, OHIO — Abigail Gosselink of Otley and Jason Stafford of Prairie City, were named to the dean’s honor List at Cedarville University for fall 2023. This recognition requires the student to obtain a 3.75 grade point average or higher.

Iowa State University

AMES — Area Iowa State University students have been recognized for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the fall semester 2023 dean’s list. Students named to the dean’s list must earn a grade point average of at least 3.50 on a 4.00 scaleand include Carson Duinink of Monroe, Kathryn Henkenius of Monroe, Noah Hirayama of Monroe, Riley Hjortshoj of Monroe, Evan Johnson of Monroe, Emma Thomas of Monroe, Victoria Conoan of Prairie City, Kyler Fischer of Prairie City, Emma George of Prairie

City, Klaire Jungling of Prairie City, Madeline Ladehoff of Prairie City, Kate McClellan of Prairie City, Brayden Nessa of Prairie City, Megan North of Prairie City, Dane Owens of Prairie City, Paige Steenhoek of Prairie City, Kaeden Strum of Prairie City, Blake Van Der Kamp of Prairie City, Meleisha Vos of Reasnor.

Northwestern College

ORANGE CITY — Emma Dunsbergen and Kallie Van Kley, students at Northwestern College in Orange City, earned a spot on the academic dean’s list for the fall 2023 semester by earning a grade point average of 3.75 or higher and are considered Collegiate Scholars.

University of Iowa

IOWA CITY — The University of Iowa awarded nearly 1,700 undergraduate, graduate and professional students degrees at the close of the 2023 fall semester. Area students receiving degrees include: Karsin Jenkins of Monroe, College of Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing-RN.

Local students at the University of Iowa named to the president’s list for the 2023 fall semester include: Isabelle Hudnut of Prairie City and Payton Konek of Monroe.

Area students named to the dean’s list for the 2023 fall semester at the University of Iowa who achieved a grade-point average of 3.50 or higher include: Isabelle Hudnut of Prairie City, Lilli Baird of Monroe and Payton Konek of Monroe.

Simpson College

INDIANOLA — Simpson College announced Zach Steenhoek of Colfax and Kenzie Van Haaften of Otley made the dean’s list for the fall 2023 semester.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln LINCOLN, NE — Eli Owens of Runnells, has been named to the

deans’ list at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for the fall semester of the 2023-24 academic year.

University of Mississippi UNIVERSITY, MS — Maren Egging of Reasnor, was named to the University of Mississippi’s fall 2023 honor roll lists. Egging, majoring in finance, was named to the Chancellor’s Honor Roll.

University of Dubuque DUBUQUE — The University of Dubuque congratulates Catherine Humpal of Monroe, on being appointed to the fall semester 2023 academic dean’s list.

University of Northern Iowa CEDAR FALLS — Area students named to the University of Northern Iowa’s fall semester dean’s list include: Carissa Van Walbeek of Monroe, Cynthia Layman of Prairie City, Hudson Geer of Monroe, Jaysea Miller of Reasnor, Laura Dowdy of Prairie City, Lily Ladehoff of Prairie City, Sidney Shaver of Prairie City, Skylar Fraker of Prairie City and Taylor Eilander of Prairie City.

Local students graduating from the University of Northern Iowa include: Carissa Van Walbeek of Monroe, Bachelor of Social Work, with honors, Social Work; and Cynthia Layman of Prairie City, Bachelor of Arts, Communication Disorders.

Central College PELLA — Central College recognized 408 students who were named to the fall 2023 dean’s list. The honor is awarded to full-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher on a 4.0 scale while taking 12 or more graded credit hours for the semester. Area students include: Amelia Brown of Prairie City, Jillian Fairbanks of Otley, Chance Palm of Otley, Alexander Ver Heul of Monroe and Christopher Ver Heul of Monroe.

Bank Iowa $1,000 scholarships available

For the 11th consecutive year, Bank Iowa is inviting graduating high school seniors in the Newton area to apply for the Spirit of Chandy Scholarship. Bank Iowa annually awards up to 20 scholarships to honor stand-out high school students statewide. Last year, Bank Iowa doubled its commitment to the communities it serves, offering $1,000 scholarships instead of the $500 scholarships it has previously awarded.

The scholarship program is a tribute to Bank Iowa co-founder Harry Barr’s daughter, Chandy Barr Clanton, who passed away in 2009 at 36 while piloting her aerobatic plane during a training flight. Clanton was a successful businesswoman, competitive athlete, talented pilot and a beloved mother of two sons.

Scholarship applicants must be pursuing higher education at an accredited university or college and complete an essay describing personal strengths, ed-

The application deadline is March 1, and recipients will be announced in May.

The program has per-

ucation and career goals. Past scholarship winners, of which there are now more than 150 students, each displayed sound academic achievement, strength of character, leadership ability and participation in community activities, such as swimming, biking, running and flying — a few of the interests Chandy passionately pursued.

haps never been more important for rural students, as Iowa College Aid expects some farm-owner families will be negatively affected by this year’s FAFSA Simplification Act. To apply for the scholarship, visit www. bankiowa.bank/about-us/

Metro Photo

Bank Iowa is inviting graduating high school seniors in the Newton area to apply for the $1,000 Spirit of Chandy Scholarships.

such a cute, little town that there is so much fun stuff.”

They were both right and the club has already become a hit in the area. Cordes explained the items in her club are more than the shake you can get at an ice cream shop or a tea pulled out of a convenience store.

“Protein shakes are all less than 250 calories and 24 grams of protein, they are full meal replacements. Mega teas are the most popular energy drinks and they are 200 milligrams of caffeine and less than 50 calories,” Cordes said. “We also have our winter menu with hot shakes and teas, non-caffeinated drinks and mega ice coffees which are 36 grams of protein and less than 80 milligrams of caffeine.”

She really likes making the shakes as she is a fan of ice cream but the rest of her staff like the brighter offerings.

Two department heads with their own independent boards — Keri Van Zante of Jasper County Conservation and Becky Pryor of Jasper County Board of Health — were present during the meeting to discuss potential pay increases, which would be approved at a later date.

than fairly compensated that most likely are a lot closer to retirement than some other ones,” he said. “Even from a sustainability portion, if we didn’t try to get something under control we were going to have department heads that were going to be pricing themselves out of a job.”

For example, if there was a department head in Jasper County with a salary of $140,000, and they were continually receiving 6 percent raises year after year, at some point the board is going to be forced into a position of having to take a hard look at the job and whether it is necessarily a justifiable salary.

“All of the girls like making the teas and all of the colorful drinks,” Cordes said. The younger crowd have flooded the club, especially in the morning. A before school mega tea is becoming routine for students getting ready to go to class. “Before school, all of the kids come in the five minutes before they have to be at school,” Cordes said. “We’re usually prepared about five minutes before they come in and then — BAM! — there they all are. It has been a good hit, good turn out, though, so far.”

with local organizations.

“That why I like small towns. The community is so good and it is fun to give back,” Cordes said. “Monroe does so many fun things on the square so I’m really excited for that.”

Department heads are entrusted to manage and coordinate individual employees and to plan budgets and capital projects, among other duties. Generally, they have a lot more responsibility than a regular employee. But supervisors did not think it was right for them to be placed on a step progression pay program.

response, PBIS support and much more,” Salmon said.

“The AEA team members that are assigned to our district are each part-time with us, as they are shared with other districts. They are part of our team, not a separate group. We work closely through collaboration to continue to push our district to improve. This is critical to our success.”

Baxter also uses the AEA in a variety of ways, first and foremost for special education. Other areas include literacy,

As the weather turns warmer, she is excited for events to start in downtown Monroe. Looking to give back, Mustang Nutrition also holds fundraisers

Mustang Nutrition is open 6:30 to 10 a.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday. Those looking to give it a try but aren’t sure about what to order, just start asking questions and Cordes and her staff will be happy to answer. The result could be a new favorite drink

“It has been fun so far,” Cordes said.

math, science, social studies, career and technical education, media services, school improvement and even more.

“The AEA services bring access to consultants and specialists in various educational areas, personalized support for teachers and learners, professional development opportunities, media and technology resources and support for diverse learners, authentic learning, and data-related needs,” Clapper said. “The relationships built between the district team and AEA staff contribute to addressing the unique needs of the district. The AEA staff are a huge part of the success of the students and staff at Baxter.”

Talsma likened the updated policy to how the board of supervisors determines raises for the county engineer. The board and the engineer often have a twoway conversation — in the form of an employee evaluation — about what the position is worth, what that individual is worth and what the county is willing to pay them.

From an economical standpoint, Talsma began to notice a trend of unsustainable salary increases for department heads using the step progression pay program.

Should changes be made to the AEA, the affect would be more broad than to the specific students that are served. The loss of printing services and professional learning are just a couple of examples of services that could be lost.

“We get a lot of resources at a discounted price from the AEA and we benefit from their ability to buy things in bulk and they transfer the savings on to us,” Clapper said. Salmon also said early access to those children ages 0-3 would no longer be provided leaving the “most vulnerable students would not provided critical services.” He also shared his thoughts on how the

“We have those who are more

process to make these changes left out many important factors.

“I don’t understand the rush with this legislation. The timeline that has been laid out is not feasible for us to put a plan together and provide services by the beginning of next school year,” Salmon said. “This entire process has been done without input from stakeholders and done behind closed doors, without transparency. Can services be improved? Yes. But take the time and really determine what the needs are before making wholesale changes to a system that is effective.” Clapper suggests that funding should, at the least, remain

“Obviously a 6 percent increase on $140,000 is a lot different than a 6 percent increase at $60,000, let alone those yearover-year compounding interests,” Talsma said. “Those add up over time. We feel like that’s what we had going on or had the potential to start happening with a couple of our department heads.”

Talsma added the county doesn’t want to lose its department heads and that there are also those employees on the other end of the spectrum that are having their salaries addressed at budget sessions.

“We have those that were probably being grossly underpaid for their role,” Talsma said. There’s probably two or three that could probably make that point.”

for essential education services and allowing districts to continue benefiting from consultant support, professional development and media/technology services.

“While the special education support is critical to the success of our students with IEPS, the importance of the other services also provided by the AEA are very important in enhancing overall educational quality and outcomes for all of our students,” Clapper said.

While the future of the AEA reorganization bill is currently not looking bright in the legislature, time will tell if any or all of it will make its way to Iowa’s schools and students.

Jamee A. Pierson/PCM Explorer

Mustang Nutrition owner Kenzie Cordes makes her favorite thing to create, shakes, at her new club in Monroe.

The 49ers need this one. Badly

One week from when I started to write this column, I will either be celebrating a sixth Super Bowl win by the San Francisco 49ers or being incredibly sad they came up short once again.

The 49ers need this Super Bowl more than the Kansas City Chiefs.

Kyle Shanahan needs it to show he is capable of winning the big one. He’s had a successful coaching career and been so close to hoisting the Lombardi trophy in multiple spots. But can’t quite do enough in the big game to win.

In fact, he’s blown leads in the two Super Bowls he’s coached in.

It’s easy to compare Shanahan to Philadelphia Eagles Andy Reid. Reid, now the head coach of the Chiefs, couldn’t get over the hump in Philadelphia either. He had to go to Kansas City and be fortunate enough to have one of the best quarter-

The Watch

backs to ever play the game on his roster. Shanahan needs this one badly. Speaking of quarterbacks, Brock Purdy needs this one, too. Not because he won’t be back or can’t get back there. But the only thing that might change the narrative of who he is may be winning the Super Bowl.

The 49ers have been close. They lost to these same Chiefs in 2019. That year, San Francisco dominated its two previous playoff games.

This time around, the 49ers have needed second-half comebacks to get to the big game.

They rallied from a small deficit to defeat Green Bay a few weeks ago. The most recent come-from-behind win came against Detroit last weekend. Down 24-7 at halftime, the 49ers rallied with a big

Our yard was a maze of plant and tree varieties. The trees complemented our affection for hostas, since hostas tend to be a shady yard plant. And we had hundreds of them. The trees also complemented our affection for summertime comfort from the sun. It was a big yard, nine lots, a corner lot, so lots of mowing. My wife insisted on taking the task of mowing, for two reasons. One, she loved the exercise of a walk-behind, self-propelled Toro. And, Two, the yard was her domain. She planted, fertilized, watered, pulled creeping charlie, and mowed. To listen to her talk about her yard, you would think it was her number one love. Her number two, was the guy that kept gas and oil in the Toro, and did the heavy lifting.

On a joyful day of early morning mowing, my wife came in the house, after only an hour or two of joy, with a sad countenance. She was sniffing, as in stressing about something. At the moment, she had lost enthusiasm for what she loved, and took a seat at the dining room table. Shortly, I learned she had lost her watch. Her good watch. This was not the appropriate time to ask why she was wearing her good watch for yard work. No, I didn’t go there. From her painful expression, I didn’t even think watch values. I just had empathy for how she was feeling. I bravely offered to go right out there and turn every blade of fresh mowed grass and creeping charlie stem, and all other watch hiding stuff. I was determined to bring happiness back to my best friend.

I stood in the middle of nowhereville: nine lots of yard, from Main Street to the alley, and suddenly, my lofty talk of recovery started to become sobering. “Where do I start?” I muttered. I just stood in one spot, spinning. “Where did she start, and where did she finish?”

All good questions.

Then I came to myself, and realized this is the time to do what I always do, PRAY. Why is it, we use all of our earthly options, then finally go to the Person who knows everything — the Person who knows us best, the Person who loves us, and wants us to trust Him? The reason I thought of praying is because praying has become my life style. I pray daily, I pray for just about everything, and anything, and everybody. Why? “And all things, whatsoever you shall ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive.” Matt. 21:22. “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving.” Col. 4:2 “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.” Jas. 5:16. That’s why.

With my eyes closed, I prayed, “Father, according to the Scripture, Jeremiah 1:5, you declared that, ‘before I was in my mother’s womb, you knew me.’ You know everything about me. You know that I am a sinner. You know my day of departure from this life. My petition is for but a small worldly token that belongs to the love of my heart. I do not pray for you to reveal its location, but help me discover it with my own willingness to search. And I ask it in the name above all names, the name of Jesus. Amen.”

I opened my eyes, just as a burning piece of paper fluttered out of the burn barrel in the alley. My mind suddenly forgot the watch, while I dashed as quickly as I could to catch up with a potential disaster about to take place on the adjacent ninth lot. As the burning paper cartwheeled, I saw I could overcome its path by taking a diagonal route. Within five feet of getting my foot on it, a shudder of goosebumps overwhelmed me. The paper was a page from “Daily Bread,” a devotional booklet. My first thought was, “This is going to be a God thing!” I stepped on the smoldering remnant of paper, where I could still make out the remainder of the lesson title of that day. It said, in large, bold, black, letters: “WATCH.” And my wife’s watch was laying right beside it! PTL!

Contact Curt Swarm at curtswarm@yahoo.com

Brandon Talsma, chair 4309 W Fourth St. S. Newton, IA 50208

641-526-3142

btalsma@co.jasper.ia.us

third quarter to win by three.

The 49ers led the Chiefs by 10 with 7 minutes to go in their most recent trip to the Super Bowl. They controlled the game until they didn’t. And they missed a gigantic hold against Nick Bosa on a key play of the game late in the fourth quarter.

No, I am still not over it. And neither is Bosa or 49ers owner Jed York, who both mentioned that in interviews recently when asked what they remember about that game.

If San Francisco wins, and it is a slight favorite somehow, the monkey is lifted off the shoulders of Shanahan. And Purdy might finally get the respect he deserves.

I’ve seen some Hawkeye fans on social media say they can’t root for the 49ers to win because they wouldn’t be able to handle Cyclone fans if Purdy wins the Super Bowl.

I am sure Cyclone fans feel the same way about George Kittle, a former Hawkeye.

I do think a majority of fans who have no rooting interest will cheer for the 49ers.

The Chiefs fatigued is real. I think most fans are ready to see someone else celebrate a championship.

I don’t ask for much in this world. I would love it greatly if asking for a 49ers win could come to fruition.

San Francisco has the better roster. There’s no doubt about that. You could even argue Reid is the better coach and I wouldn’t have much to argue.

But the Chiefs have the great equalizer in Patrick Mahomes. He just doesn’t lose very often in these big games.

If Purdy can play close to Mahomes and make enough plays, I think Christian McCaffrey can carry the offense to a win.

As long as the 49ers defense decides to play like the top-five unit they have been all regular season long.

Bang bang. Niner gang.

Contact Troy Hyde at thyde@shawmedia.com

Taking attendance at the White House

Imagine one of your coworkers skips out — for days — and nobody, not even the boss, notices.

Sounds pretty farfetched, since the workplaces I’ve visited across Iowa are pretty short-staffed these days. Just one missing team member would be immediately obvious to everyone. That is, unless the absent employee is the head of a government agency, like the Department of Defense, and the boss happens to be the President of the United States.

With wars in Europe and the Middle East, and the Pacific teetering on the brink, America’s defense chief went AWOL for four days this past month. Meanwhile, the Commander-in-Chief and de facto head of the Pentagon were also both out of the office, on tropical islands far away from Washington.

Without informing the White House or his own senior staff, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin went under general anesthesia on Dec. 22 for a medical procedure. A little over a week later he was rushed by ambulance back to the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, where he would be hospitalized for the next two weeks. Austin’s chief of staff also happened to be out on sick leave at the time the Secretary was admitted to the hospital.

Biden wasn’t even aware his Secretary of Defense was away from the job until he was informed days later during his weeklong Caribbean vacation, where he was relaxing at a private beachfront villa owned by big dollar Democratic donors.

Also without the president’s knowledge, the Defense Secretary transferred some of his responsibilities to his deputy, who coincidentally was vacationing in the

From Washington, DC

Caribbean on a different island, Puerto Rico. Austin’s “deputy ended up running the Pentagon from the beach.”

Folks, the defense of our nation isn’t a part-time job. While the president and his advisors are busy packing for sandy island beaches, thousands of men and women in uniform are being deployed to the shifting sands of the Middle East, where American citizens are being held hostage by terrorists right now. And Iranian-backed militants have launched more than 100 attacks against U.S. troops in the region over the past three months.

“Out of office” messages bounced back by Biden administration officials on leave are not going to repel attacks from America’s enemies. But despite being called back to work by the White House, Washington’s bureaucracies remain largely abandoned.

Even Biden’s administrator of the General Services Administration, who is supposed to manage over 8,300 government buildings, spent most of the year following the agency’s “full re-entry” to the office not in Washington, but in Missouri.

This is how the Biden bureaucrats do business: when, where, how, and if they want to.

Secretary of Transportation Peter Buttigieg noted, “When you take a job like mine, you understand and accept that you’re going to have to be available 24/7, depending on what’s going on, and

How to contact your Jasper County Supervisors

Doug Cupples, vice chair 1205 S. 20th Ave. W. Newton, IA 50208 641-521-8725

dcupples@co.jasper.ia.us

you’re going to have to engage.” But then he went offline for four weeks of paid paternity leave in the midst of a nationwide supply chain crisis, even declining to take a call from Senator Chuck Grassley about a transportation issue in Iowa.

President Biden himself is setting this example for how Washington “works from home.”

The president was out of the Oval Office last year more than any other modern American president, spending nearly 40 percent of his time away from the nation’s capital. Biden’s getaways include frequent trips to the beach, the estates of billionaires, and other posh destinations. Even when not vacationing, the president limits his participation in public events to weekdays, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

While Biden and his bureaucrats are living like every week is beach week, the hardworking Americans paying their salaries don’t have the same luxury of setting their own office hours. That’s why I am giving my January 2024 Squeal Award to the absentee administration officials. Apparently only they know who they are, since no one is taking attendance. Folks, Biden and his bureaucrats can reschedule their beach getaways until January 2025 when they all will be out of office, permanently. In the meantime, I’m calling on the White House Office of Management and Budget to start auditing and posting the schedules of the heads of every agency and department so taxpayers know who is showing up to work and who isn’t.

Joni Ernst, a native of Red Oak and a combat veteran, represents Iowa in the United States Senate.

Sen. Joni Ernst

Curt Swarm Empty Nest

Troy Hyde

This & That

GIRLS BASKETBALL

PCM continues dominance over Rams

Troy Hyde thyde@shawmedia.com

JEFFERSON — A fast start helped the PCM girls’ basketball team continue its dominance over Greene County on Jan. 29.

The Mustangs overcame another tough shooting night with a strong performance at the defensive end of the floor during a 48-26 road win.

PCM won the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference contest after dominating the first half. The Mustangs led 18-9 after one quarter and went into halftime with a 30-11 advantage.

“We shared the ball really well and got some good minutes for our bench,” PCM head girls basketball coach Sami Allison-Rodriguez said. “I’m proud of our effort.”

It was the Mustangs’ sixth straight win over the Rams and they are 24-2 in the last 26 meetings in the series.

Tori Lindsay led PCM with 15 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals and Addison Steenhoek added 13 points, five rebounds, six assists and three steals.

Rebecca De Vries finished with seven points, five rebounds and two steals, Kyra Naeve tallied five points, two rebounds and six steals and Lila Milani collected eight points and four boards.

Jorja Teeter posted three rebounds, two assists and three steals for the Mustangs, who turned the ball over 17 times.

PCM (13-6, 9-4 in the HOIAC) shot 32.7 percent from the floor, made 6-of-29 from 3-point range and buried 10-of14 from the free-throw line.

Becca Anderson led Greene County with 17 points, five rebounds and four steals, but the Rams (0-16, 0-10) shot 28 percent from the floor and turned the ball over 28 times.

Roland-Story 75, PCM 40 STORY CITY — The Mustangs hung with Class 3A No.

BOYS BASKETBALL

5 Roland-Story for a quarter on Jan. 30, but the Lady Norse were just too good and a huge third quarter propelled them to a 75-40 home win during HOIAC action.

PCM couldn’t overcome a tough shooting night, 19 turnovers or a disadvantage on the boards.

“We just couldn’t get anything going and they couldn’t miss,” Allison-Rodriguez said. “It was just wasn’t our night.”

Steenhoek had 12 points, two rebounds, two steals and two blocks to lead the visitors, while Lindsay added 10 points, five rebounds and two steals.

De Vries tallied five points and six boards, Naeve registered six points, three boards and two steals and Teeter grabbed three rebounds.

The Mustangs shot 30 percent from the floor, made 5-of12 from 3 and connected on 11-of-18 from the foul line. They were out-rebounded 32-24.

Kate Berggren led Roland-Story (17-1, 12-0) with 12 points and six rebounds and Riley Johnson added 11 points and five boards.

The Norse, who won the HOIAC championship this season, shot 43 percent from the floor, buried 10 treys and hit 17of-18 from the foul line.

South Hamilton 59, PCM 55 MONROE — Steenhoek and Lindsay combined to score 43 points, but a tough shooting night for PCM resulted in a narrow home loss to South Hamilton on Feb. 2.

The Mustangs fell behind early and couldn’t fully recover during a 59-55 loss in HOIAC play.

The Hawks led by five after one quarter and outscored the Mustangs 16-13 in the third during the win.

PCM rallied to close the gap to two at halftime and won the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to complete the comeback.

“They hit a couple shots late and were very good from the

free-throw line,” Allison-Rodriguez said. “We’ll have another chance to get back in the win column before the playoffs.”

South Hamilton connected on 21-of-27 from the foul line and out-rebounded the Mustangs 31-26.

PCM stayed in the game because it made seven 3-pointers and turned the ball over only 12 times.

Steenhoek finished with 25 points, five rebounds and three assists and Lindsay added 18

points, four rebounds, six assists and two steals in the loss.

“Addison and Tori both were electric on the offensive end,” Allison-Rodriguez said.

Milani finished with five points, three rebounds and two steals, De Vries tallied five rebounds and two steals and Teeter pitched in four rebounds and two assists.

Elle Davis put in five points and Claire VanWyk grabbed two boards.

The Mustangs shot 32 per-

cent from the floor, made 7-of26 from 3 and buried 12-of-15 from the foul line.

South Hamilton (13-6, 10-3) shot 44 percent from the floor, made 2-of-13 from 3 and turned the ball over 17 times. Ashlyn Erickson led the Hawks with 19 points, seven rebounds and four assists. Tanna Thompson chipped in 15 points and five boards.

South Hamilton improved to 5-1 in its last six games against the Mustangs.

Wendt ties school record in PCM’s win over Rams

JEFFERSON — Jacob Wendt and Jack Jungling posted double-doubles, the Mustangs dominated the boards and a big fourth quarter propelled the PCM boys’ basketball team to a 62-57 road win over Greene County on Jan. 29.

Wendt tied a school record for rebounds in a game, three PCM players scored in double figures and the Mustangs won the Heart of Iowa Athletic Conference game despite making only 4-of-21 from 3-point range.

PCM led 16-11 after one quarter, but the game was tied at halftime and the Rams led by four after three. But a 21-12 advantage for the Mustangs in the fourth was enough to lock up the conference win.

Wendt’s record setting night included a career-best and school-record 21 rebounds, 14 points and three assists. He’s now fourth all-time in school history with 588 career rebounds.

Jungling added a career-best 17 points and grabbed 10 rebounds and Gavin Van Gorp chipped in 13 points and two rebounds.

got outscored 27-18 in the third during the HOIAC contest.

“I was proud of the guys’ effort tonight,” PCM head boys’ basketball coach Tony Ford said. “We had a game plan to shut down Roland-Story’s top scorers, but they had other guys step up for them. That’s what good teams do.” Jacob Wendt led the Mustangs with 11 points, eight rebounds and four assists and DeVries posted a career-best 11 points and added two assists and three steals.

Van Gorp and Jake Winters each registered seven points and two boards, Jungling had five rebounds and two assists and Mark Bussan grabbed four rebounds and swiped two steals.

Chase Wagaman finished with two assists and three steals, Gavin Steenhoek, Kiernan and VandeLune all scored three points, Alex Wendt pulled down three boards and Jacob Elrod corralled two rebounds.

South Hamilton 55, PCM 49 MONROE — Jacob Wendt posted a double-double, but PCM made more 3s than free throws during a 55-49 home loss to South Hamilton on Feb. 2.

The Mustangs outscored the Hawks in the middle two quarters but couldn’t overcome a 1711 disadvantage in the first and a deficit in the fourth during the HOIAC contest. Wendt’s double-double included 11 points and 12 rebounds and he dished out three assists.

VandeLune put in a teambest 12 points, Van Gorp added 11 points, three rebounds and two assists and Bussan collected eight points and seven boards off the bench.

Jungling tallied six points, nine rebounds and two steals, DeVries registered eight assists, three rebounds and two steals and Steenhoek swiped two steals.

Cutler VandeLune registered five points, two rebounds, three assists and four steals, Kaleb DeVries finished with five points, four rebounds and eight assists and Alex Wendt tallied three points and five boards. Pete Kiernan chipped in three points and two steals.

The Mustangs (9-10, 6-7 in the conference) overcame a tough shooting night in part because they out-rebounded the Rams 46-26. They shot 35.5 percent from the floor, made 14-of-22 from the free-throw line and turned the ball over 14 times.

Brynley Ruzicka led the Rams with a game-high 20 points, while Nathan Behne added 13 points, eight rebounds and five assists.

shot 44.2 percent from the floor, connected on 6-of-21 from 3 and made half of its 10 free throw attempts. The Rams also committed 17 turnovers.

Roland-Story 71, PCM 53

STORY CITY — The Mustangs couldn’t overcome a slow start and a strong shooting night from Roland-Story during a 71-53 road loss on Jan. 30.

The Mustangs shot 35.7 percent from the floor, made 7-of25 from 3 and buried 6-of-10 from the foul line. They committed 17 turnovers.

Roland-Story (15-2, 11-1) was led by Jonovan Wilkinson, who finished with 11 points, five rebounds, eight assists, three steals and four blocks.

PCM trailed by five after one, went into halftime down 11 and

Tristan Anderson and Brett Schmitz each scored 19 points for the Norse, who shot 63 percent from the floor and made 8-of-16 from 3. They also hit 9-of-13 from the foul line and committed 18 turnovers.

The Mustangs shot 33 percent from the floor, made 7-of30 from 3 and connected on 2-of-8 from the foul line.

PCM had an 11-point deficit from the foul line and lost by six.

Ryland Ubben led South Hamilton (16-2, 11-2) with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Reece Ricke added 11 points and 11 boards.

The Hawks shot 38.5 percent from the floor, made 2-of18 from 3 and connected on 13of-18 from the foul line. Both teams committed 15 turnovers. Troy

Greene County (1-16, 1-10)

Troy Hyde/PCM Explorer

PCM junior Cutler VandeLune scored 12 points in the Mustangs’ narrow home loss to South Hamilton on Feb. 2.

Troy Hyde/ PCM Explorer

PCM sophomore Claire VanWyk (13) battles for a rebound against Roland-Story earlier this season. VanWyk grabbed a pair of boards in the Mustangs’ loss to South Hamilton on Feb. 2.

Explorer PCM

PCM finishes second at ADM Tiger Invitational

Troy Hyde thyde@shawmedia.com

ADEL — Four champions led the PCM wrestling team at the ADM Tiger Invitational on Feb. 3.

Despite entering just nine wrestlers, the Mustangs finished second in the six-team field after four wrestlers won individual titles and two others were second.

Kaliber Fry, Tucker Wheeler, Hewitt Brinegar and Sawyer Bouwkamp combined to go 14-0 and Remington Fry won three matches at 138.

West Hancock’s 12 wrestlers won the team title with 118.5 points, but the nine Mustangs who competed scored 94 points in second.

Host ADM (73.5), Perry (38.5), West Central Valley (28.5) and Van Meter

(19.5) completed the field.

Bouwkamp’s first-ever title featured a 4-0 day with two pins, one technical fall and a major decision at 165 pounds.

Wheeler also was 4-0 and he recorded three pins at 144. Kaliber Fry (33-14) was 3-0 at 113 and he had two pins and one technical fall, while Brinegar (435) was 3-0 at 150 with one pin and two major decisions.

Remington Fry (31-16) finished second at 138 after going 3-1 with a win by pin, a 9-3 victory and a win by medical forfeit.

The other runner-up finish came from Jeffrey McDanel, who was 2-1 at 157.

Wyatt Wheeler (175), Trent Nickelson (190) and Kaiden Valcore (215) all finished third in their weight classes despite going 0-2.

Rebecca De Vries

Photo by Gary Hanson

PCM junior Kaiden Valcore, top, wrestles in a match earlier this season in Monroe. The Mustangs finished second at the ADM Tiger Invitational on Feb. 3.

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